Dodge Momentum Index on the rise as construction planning makes 'uneven' progress

July marked the fourth consecutive month of increases in the Index — which was the first four-month streak since the end of 2014. 

By Emily Peiffer • Aug. 5, 2016

Report: Housing markets creeping back to normal in 'slow but steady' recovery

The Leading Markets Index found that 146 of the approximately 340 U.S. metro areas reached or surpassed their normal housing and economic levels last quarter.

By Emily Peiffer • Aug. 5, 2016

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Top 5 stories from Construction Dive

Construction Dive editors curate some of the industry’s top stories from this year.

By Construction Dive staff

Commitment phobia? Fear of long-term decisions could be keeping millennials from homeownership

A NerdWallet survey found that 20% of millennials said hesitation to commit to their partner and a mortgage was a factor keeping them from buying a home.

By Emily Peiffer • Aug. 3, 2016

CoreLogic: Home prices rise 1% as low mortgage rates drive new purchases

However, prices are rising fastest in the lower end of the market — a trend that has kept many first-time buyers shut out of homeownership.

By Emily Peiffer • Aug. 2, 2016

Construction spending falls 0.6% — marking 3rd consecutive month of declines

June's spending results failed to meet expectations, but experts said they believe the industry will bounce back in the coming months.

By Emily Peiffer • Aug. 1, 2016

Zillow: Multifamily sector plagued by 'growing divide' as lower-end rents outpace overall market

This trend is driven by the lack of new construction of more affordable apartments, as developers focus on the luxury end.

By Emily Peiffer • Aug. 1, 2016

20 hottest housing markets in July

California metro areas once again dominated the Realtor.com list, and Dallas beat out Denver and San Francisco to clam the No. 2 spot.

By Kim Slowey • July 29, 2016

US homeownership rate sinks to lowest level since 1965

Experts have blamed millennials and the lack of affordable homes on the market for the low 62.9% rate in the second quarter.

By Emily Peiffer • July 28, 2016

Caterpillar warns of ongoing profit slide, additional job cuts amid weak global equipment demand

The construction equipment giant said low oil and mined commodity prices as well as instability caused by international events are constraining growth.

By Kim Slowey • July 28, 2016

NAHB survey: 82% of Americans believe homeownership is a good investment

However, 55% of respondents said they had trouble finding an affordable home, and 50% said they didn’t have enough money saved for a down payment.

By Kim Slowey • July 28, 2016

NAR: Pending home sales inch up; lack of inventory thwarts stronger housing market growth

The 0.2% gain was due largely to strong sales in the Northeast, where there are more properties available on the market.

By Emily Peiffer • July 27, 2016

AIA: Construction growth forecast more 'tempered' in 2016, 2017 amid economic challenges

The American Institute of Architects' Construction Consensus Forecast predicts the industrial sector will be the biggest drag on overall industry expansion.

By Kim Slowey • July 27, 2016

New home sales surge 3.5% in June to 8-year high

The gain was likely due to low mortgage rates and limited inventory of existing homes on the market.

By Emily Peiffer • July 26, 2016

Construction firms 'struggling to fill jobs' as 25 states shed positions in June

The ongoing labor shortage is particularly concerning due to the fact that it is occurring in an environment of growing industry demand, according to the AGC.

By Kim Slowey • July 26, 2016

First-time buyers push June existing home sales up 1.1%

The NAR said that despite the fourth consecutive increase in existing home sales in June, persistent low inventory could derail future gains.

By Kim Slowey • July 25, 2016

Dodge Data: Drop in residential and public works drives June starts down 7%

Lack of multimillion-dollar public works projects pushed the nonbuilding segment down 24%.

By Kim Slowey • July 22, 2016

Some women in construction earn 3.7% more than men

Women in the installation, repair and maintenance segment of construction made a median weekly $848 versus the $818 earned by men doing the same work.

By Kim Slowey • July 21, 2016

Housing starts up, indicating 'gradual recovery'

July's housing starts, according to the National Association of Homebuilders, represents a "cautious pace" of building activity.

By Kim Slowey • July 19, 2016

NAHB: Homebuilder confidence slips 1 point in July

Despite the a slight dip, the association reported that it was still in a "narrow positive range."

By Kim Slowey • July 19, 2016

NAR: Renters with student debt hesitant on homeownership

The emotional and financial strain of repaying student loans are leaving young people out of the housing market and out of homebuilders' reach.

By Kim Slowey • July 15, 2016

ABC: Rise in material prices 'translates into smaller profit margins' for construction companies

The higher price of materials combined with growing labor costs could lead some developers to speed up their projects.

By Emily Peiffer • July 14, 2016

Apartment demand rebounds as supply struggles to keep pace

The percentage of vacant apartments fell to a post-recession low of 3.8% in Q2, but researchers said that rate will rise when developers build more units.

By Kim Slowey • July 14, 2016

June construction starts up 4% — but seasonal decline is on the horizon

ConstructConnect reported that July will most likely see the last of the seasonal increases in nonresidential construction starts.

By Kim Slowey • July 14, 2016

Commercial, institutional sectors drive 11% surge in Dodge Momentum Index

However, Dodge warned that the Index's volatility could continue, depending on the broader U.S. economy as well as the outcomes of the November elections.  

By Kim Slowey • July 11, 2016

Construction employment stagnant in June as unemployment rate falls to 16-year low

With June marking the third consecutive month without job gains, construction groups point to the skilled labor shortage as a factor hindering industry expansion. 

By Kim Slowey • July 11, 2016